Marsh, Warner under injury cloud

Two Australian batsmen are under a cloud heading into the first Magellan Ashes Test, with Shaun Marsh joining David Warner in managing an injury on match eve.

Marsh pulled up with a stiff back after training on Wednesday, joining Warner (stiff neck) as a concern for the Aussies heading into the Gabba Test.

Victorian Glenn Maxwell has been brought in to the squad as cover should either of the duo be unable to prove their fitness on match morning.

The fact that only one batsman has been called in to cover two players indicates medical staff are confident at least one of the injured pair will be cleared to play.

Marsh, 34, has a history of back troubles; he was hobbled by a jarred back during the fourth Test in India earlier this year, was ruled out of the 2016 IPL due to a back injury and also had his 2011 Test campaign in South Africa cut short due to back stiffness.

Earlier on Wednesday, captain Steve Smith said he was confident Warner will play despite the opener showing signs of discomfort in the nets a day after he twinged his neck during a fielding drill.

A helmet-less Warner had a 30-minute net session at The Gabba on Wednesday, facing some throwdowns from assistant coach John Davison.

The left-hander looked slightly awkward at stages and grimaced in discomfort when playing some shots, but he finished with a couple of booming pull shots and some fluid straight drives before speaking with team doctor Richard Saw and heading to the rooms.

Warner had faced just two deliveries in the nets on Tuesday after he twinged his neck during a fielding drill, but later said "I don’t think a stiff neck is going to keep me out" of the Test.

Smith added on Wednesday he had no doubt his vice-captain will be cleared to play.

"Davey is going well,” he said. "He had a hit just before and he's very confident. He said he'll be right to go."

And Warner’s light-hearted suggestion that he could even adopt the unusual front-on batting stance of West Indian great Shivnarine Chanderpaul suggests he's unconcerned heading into his first Ashes campaign as vice-captain.

"He said he'll even bat like Shivnarine Chanderpaul if he has to and face the other way, so I think he'll be alright," Smith said.

"It's improved a fair bit over the last 24 hours. Hopefully he can keep improving and he'll be 100 per cent come 10 o'clock in the morning."

Image Id: 3E0628690C4343459D2332E8754B4901 Image Caption: Warner received treatment on his neck at yesterday's net session // Getty

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

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PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21